title: Phytochemicals from cruciferous vegetables, epigenetics, and prostate cancer prevention.
abstract: Epidemiological evidence has demonstrated a reduced risk of prostate cancer associated with cruciferous vegetable intake. Follow-up studies have attributed this protective activity to the metabolic products of glucosinolates, a class of secondary metabolites produced by crucifers. The metabolic products of glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin, sulforaphane, and indole-3-carbinol respectively, have been the subject of intense investigation by cancer researchers. Sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol inhibit prostate cancer by both blocking initiation and suppressing prostate cancer progression in vitro and in vivo. Research has largely focused on the anti-initiation and cytoprotective effects of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol through induction of phases I and II detoxification pathways. With regards to suppressive activity, research has focused on the ability of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol to antagonize cell signaling pathways known to be dysregulated in prostate cancer. Recent investigations have characterized the ability of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol derivatives to modulate the activity of enzymes controlling the epigenetic status of prostate cancer cells. In this review, we will summarize the well-established, "classic" non-epigenetic targets of sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, and highlight more recent evidence supporting these phytochemicals as epigenetic modulators for prostate cancer chemoprevention.
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Cellular Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: W Watson
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: M Beaver
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: E Williams
authors.forename: Roderick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: H Dashwood
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals